Why are Chelsea so cra-p-py so far this season? Grinding out results was/is a Mourinho Chelsea trademark.

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Remember when Mourinho was invincible at home?

Gets what he deserves. His first spell he was quite entertaining, now he's getting pretty boring and I'm glad to see him falling on his face at the moment. The Eva Caneiro stuff set the tone at the start of the season, I get that he likes to do things to take the pressure of his team, but hanging his own medical team out to dry for doing their job is disgraceful, maybe there is such a thing as karma. Long may the slide continue.

Oh Jose, always the referees. One of the worst losers in sport, almost at Serena Williams levels.

Remember my pre season prediction of top 5 being an achievement for Chelsea?

You can understand the media wanting to put it on Mourinho, but they didn't strengthen the areas that needed it and the players just aren't performing. Putting it on Mourinho because he had a go at a doctor and has been calling his players out when they aren't performing at the standard expected of them is missing the point imo.

Time to get Loftus-Cheek in the lineup regularly, same for Kennedy, Rahman at left back, Azpilicueta to right back and give Abraham a go up top, he can't be any worse than Remy and Falcao. These are young players who have something to prove and won't be dropping their heads when things go against them, less baggage is the only really option left imo.

Remember my pre season prediction of top 5 being an achievement for Chelsea?

You can understand the media wanting to put it on Mourinho, but they didn't strengthen the areas that needed it and the players just aren't performing. Putting it on Mourinho because he had a go at a doctor and has been calling his players out when they aren't performing at the standard expected of them is missing the point imo.

Time to get Loftus-Cheek in the lineup regularly, same for Kennedy, Rahman at left back, Azpilicueta to right back and give Abraham a go up top, he can't be any worse than Remy and Falcao. These are young players who have something to prove and won't be dropping their heads when things go against them, less baggage is the only really option left imo.

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Hadn't found this thread by now, but there is no excuse for Chelsea, they spent plenty and won the league at a canter last season. They didn't really need anyone else. There is no doubt they should be doing better, would say they probably still have the best squad in the league, that's why most pundits were backing them to win the league again this year. Mourinho just showed his lack of class by throwing his doctor under the bus for doing her job, so he deserves all they're getting right now. It's his responsibility to get the players performing anyway they are good enough. He may well sort them out, because undoubtedly he is an excellent manager but I would be delighted if he didn't his behaviour is embarrassing.

That Martinez quote after Mourinho had a tantrum earlier this season says it all about him “When he beat us 6-3 last season he was such a nice man. I prefer him like that.” He's such a bad loser, although even last season he had his campaign against Chelsea rubbish. I get all this is partly to try and take attention away from his players and it has worked plenty in the past, but it is just so embarrassing and classless, not every manager has to resort to such tactics and many still do well.

Great to see Arsenal destroy Man Utd as well, such biased commentary from sky, understandable for Neville but Martin Tyler's meant to be impartial just a blatant Man Utd fan. His going mental when Martial scored that decent goal against Liverpool after shrugging off the worldie that Benteke had just scored demonstrated his true colours. Of course, it seems most pundits can't stop worshipping Martial though at the moment, looks a promising player but come on.

For all Man Utd's possession in the second half they created next to nothing, could say Arsenal Martialed them expertly.

Hadn't found this thread by now, but there is no excuse for Chelsea, they spent plenty and won the league at a canter last season. They didn't really need anyone else. There is no doubt they should be doing better, would say they probably still have the best squad in the league, that's why most pundits were backing them to win the league again this year. Mourinho just showed his lack of class by throwing his doctor under the bus for doing her job, so he deserves all they're getting right now. It's his responsibility to get the players performing anyway they are good enough. He may well sort them out, because undoubtedly he is an excellent manager but I would be delighted if he didn't his behaviour is embarrassing.

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As you say, things like the whole doctor episode and everything else have played a part. They aren't the main reason why things have gone so wrong, but they've definitely compounded the bigger cracks imo. Chelsea are far better than 16th, absolutely, they aren't as good as the media tried to suggest before the season though..

Won last year at a canter? Yes and no, the points difference would suggest they did, but after Christmas it was a real slog with alot of the games won ugly. The players were running on fumes around March time, which speaks to how weak the overall squad is. lvanovic the only right back, Matic struggling for form with the only other option being Mikel.. that's not good. Fabregas has to play out of position because there is nobody. Remy and post injury Falcao to get goals? Ouch.

They say you have to improve fairly significantly just to maintain your position from the year before, every team has done that except Chelsea. Knowing how much of a grind it was last season (only 15 outfield players made more than 10 appearances, including off the bench), with the rest of the league being able to afford better players than ever (Palace can get players like Cabaye, Swansea get Ayew etc.).. lt was always unlikely they would retain the title with the same squad from my point of view, but to fall off the face of a cliff? Wasn't expecting that. They may still get top 5, which is about where they should be imo, but it's going to be tough.

As you say, things like the whole doctor episode and everything else have played a part. They aren't the main reason why things have gone so wrong, but they've definitely compounded the bigger cracks imo. Chelsea are far better than 16th, absolutely, they aren't as good as the media tried to suggest before the season though..

Won last year at a canter? Yes and no, the points difference would suggest they did, but after Christmas it was a real slog with alot of the games won ugly. The players were running on fumes around March time, which speaks to how weak the overall squad is. lvanovic the only right back, Matic struggling for form with the only other option being Mikel.. that's not good. Fabregas has to play out of position because there is nobody. Remy and post injury Falcao to get goals? Ouch.

They say you have to improve fairly significantly just to maintain your position from the year before, every team has done that except Chelsea. Knowing how much of a grind it was last season (only 15 outfield players made more than 10 appearances, including off the bench), with the rest of the league being able to afford better players than ever (Palace can get players like Cabaye, Swansea get Ayew etc.).. lt was always unlikely they would retain the title with the same squad from my point of view, but to fall off the face of a cliff? Wasn't expecting that. They may still get top 5, which is about where they should be imo, but it's going to be tough.

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Mourinho's style is pretty much winning a lot of games ugly and grinding out results, he's never been known for his attractive football, it's his speciality you could say, that's why he was never popular at Madrid even when he was doing well. Ivanovic isn't their only right back, Azpilicueta is a right back too even though he's mostly played left in recent times. Remy's a good player he did alright for QPR and Newcastle, didn't he seemed to get a decent amount of goals last season as well for someone who was mainly a sub striker, don't think there are many teams with as good a back up striker, Falcao seems passed it now I agree, Mourinho was obviously hoping he could coax him back into form but. Mikel's not that bad though I don't think, could have better back up but it's better than most.

Think they will probably get 4th in the end, but I'm hopeful that they won't but they are bound to improve. Who would you expected to get ahead of them to 4th?

Mourinho's style is pretty much winning a lot of games ugly and grinding out results, he's never been known for his attractive football, it's his speciality you could say, that's why he was never popular at Madrid even when he was doing well. Ivanovic isn't their only right back, Azpilicueta is a right back too even though he's mostly played left in recent times. Remy's a good player he did alright for QPR and Newcastle, didn't he seemed to get a decent amount of goals last season as well for someone who was mainly a sub striker, don't think there are many teams with as good a back up striker, Falcao seems passed it now I agree, Mourinho was obviously hoping he could coax him back into form but. Mikel's not that bad though I don't think, could have better back up but it's better than most.

Think they will probably get 4th in the end, but I'm hopeful that they won't but they are bound to improve. Who would you expected to get ahead of them to 4th?

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Yeah l've always enjoyed Mourinho's teams playing like that, it's not for everyone but there is something about the way he gets teams organised, powerful, clinical. The second half of last year was a bit different, more scrappy and limping across the line kind of thing, as opposed to planned defensive masterclasses like the linter Champions League final against Bayern. The way the defence is at the moment though is unacceptable for any team, especially a Mourinho one. You can understand players being out of form, but to be out of position and making so many basic errors at the back is baffling.

Mikel is never the answer to any question as far as i'm concerned lol, he takes far too many touches to ever be allowed anywhere near a midfield, if by some miracle he's allowed time he just plays it sideways anyway.

4th or 5th was my pre season prediction. City are back as expected after their down year last time round. Arsenal will challenge for the title imo, they always seem to go on long runs and with so many of the "lesser" teams improving, being streaky will play to their advantage for a change Man Utd look really good, think the title is a stretch but top 3 is very realistic. lf Chelsea can finish just outside that, i'd say that would be about right. Who did you have as favourite before the season?

Yeah l've always enjoyed Mourinho's teams playing like that, it's not for everyone but there is something about the way he gets teams organised, powerful, clinical. The second half of last year was a bit different, more scrappy and limping across the line kind of thing, as opposed to planned defensive masterclasses like the linter Champions League final against Bayern. The way the defence is at the moment though is unacceptable for any team, especially a Mourinho one. You can understand players being out of form, but to be out of position and making so many basic errors at the back is baffling.

Mikel is never the answer to any question as far as i'm concerned lol, he takes far too many touches to ever be allowed anywhere near a midfield, if by some miracle he's allowed time he just plays it sideways anyway.

4th or 5th was my pre season prediction. City are back as expected after their down year last time round. Arsenal will challenge for the title imo, they always seem to go on long runs and with so many of the "lesser" teams improving, being streaky will play to their advantage for a change Man Utd look really good, think the title is a stretch but top 3 is very realistic. lf Chelsea can finish just outside that, i'd say that would be about right. Who did you have as favourite before the season?

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Yeah well each to their own, I have never enjoyed his teams style of play, although it has obviously been very effective for most of his career, no-one can deny that. Remains to be seen how much they can turn it around, presumably there will be an improvement, no guarantee that it'll be Mourinho to do so though the way things are going.

Mikel's a back up player though, given how good Matic was last season, you're not going to get a lot better who'll be happy to sit on the bench most of the time. Don't really think people in that position need to be that creative so ball retention isn't such a bad thing.

Agree with you on the top 3, seems likely in that order City, Arsenal, Man Utd. Then between probably Chelsea and Liverpool (depending on who replaces Rodgers) for fourth. Tottenham always fall short don't see them doing any better, especially with Kane's second season syndrome in full effect, reckon Everton will probably finish above them and none of the others are going to be consistent enough to get top four either I don't think.

Yeah at the start of the season though I thought City and Chelsea would be having it out for the title, obviously not now, would say City are likely winners, am always sceptical about putting Arsenal in the mix no matter how well they perform, as I think they've had a good enough team for it in terms of quality of players for a while, but just a bit mentally weak I suppose. Although having a player like Sanchez could potentially be a bit of a wildcard for them, is a brilliant player, would maybe only put Aguero ahead of him for the best players in the league.

Yeah well each to their own, I have never enjoyed his teams style of play, although it has obviously been very effective for most of his career, no-one can deny that. Remains to be seen how much they can turn it around, presumably there will be an improvement, no guarantee that it'll be Mourinho to do so though the way things are going.

Mikel's a back up player though, given how good Matic was last season, you're not going to get a lot better who'll be happy to sit on the bench most of the time. Don't really think people in that position need to be that creative so ball retention isn't such a bad thing.

Agree with you on the top 3, seems likely in that order City, Arsenal, Man Utd. Then between probably Chelsea and Liverpool (depending on who replaces Rodgers) for fourth. Tottenham always fall short don't see them doing any better, especially with Kane's second season syndrome in full effect, reckon Everton will probably finish above them and none of the others are going to be consistent enough to get top four either I don't think.

Yeah at the start of the season though I thought City and Chelsea would be having it out for the title, obviously not now, would say City are likely winners, am always sceptical about putting Arsenal in the mix no matter how well they perform, as I think they've had a good enough team for it in terms of quality of players for a while, but just a bit mentally weak I suppose. Although having a player like Sanchez could potentially be a bit of a wildcard for them, is a brilliant player, would maybe only put Aguero ahead of him for the best players in the league.

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For me the midfield is where games are won and lost these days, the success of Barcelona was down to Xavi, liniesta, Busquets etc.. They protect the defence, win the ball back, keep it, wear down the opposition, pick the passes to the forwards to let them go to work. Bayern have Martinez, Thiago, Alonso, Vidal.. Juventus had Pirlo, Marchisio, Pogba and Vidal. Having Mikel as the backup to Matic and Fabregas isn't a recipe for success, from my point of view anyway.

Yeah agree on Arsenal being weak mentally and a team that blows hot and cold. Ususally the title winner is the team who is most consistent, and Arsenal really aren't that. This year though it seems that all of the big teams will lose their fair share of games to mid-lower table sides, which should even things out for Arsenal. Think they won 8 in a row in March and April, something like 16 wins over 18 games.. it was their silly losses that cost them, go on a similar run this season and they'll have a real chance imo.

For me the midfield is where games are won and lost these days, the success of Barcelona was down to Xavi, liniesta, Busquets etc.. They protect the defence, win the ball back, keep it, wear down the opposition, pick the passes to the forwards to let them go to work. Bayern have Martinez, Thiago, Alonso, Vidal.. Juventus had Pirlo, Marchisio, Pogba and Vidal. Having Mikel as the backup to Matic and Fabregas isn't a recipe for success, from my point of view anyway.

Yeah agree on Arsenal being weak mentally and a team that blows hot and cold. Ususally the title winner is the team who is most consistent, and Arsenal really aren't that. This year though it seems that all of the big teams will lose their fair share of games to mid-lower table sides, which should even things out for Arsenal. Think they won 8 in a row in March and April, something like 16 wins over 18 games.. it was their silly losses that cost them, go on a similar run this season and they'll have a real chance imo.

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Busquets is an example that I'd use to be honest to show that they don't need to be the most creative necessarily just playing the simple passes never giving it away, but giving it to the more creative players so they can do something, which is the most important thing in that position. Obviously if you can play the passes as well then that is better of course but those sort of players like Lucas at Liverpool similarly, an underrated player in my opinion isn't the most creative, but breaks up play well and moves the ball on rarely giving it away. While yes there are better out there than both those two but for a back up, who wouldn't expect to play that many games, especially considering how good Matic was last season and since they resigned him really, not too many better players would be willing to come in and be backup. Although to be honest I probably would've said that about a keeper the quality of Begovic also.

It does seem for Arsenal that they either go on a really good run in the first half of the season and blow it, like the 13-14 season or start badly and finish well. Need to buck that trend this season which potentially they could, or simply other teams not being as good as they maybe usually are could mean they are a lot closer. Remains to be seen I suppose, of the three realistically in the mix I would probably like it to be them. But I'm not really convinced yet, certainly made a good statement at the weekend though.

Anyone saw Bayern's brilliant victory against Dortmund. Boateng long range passes just annihilated Borussia high defensive line. Seemed a deliberate stuff from Guardiola. Outside that I thought Dortmund was equal or even better in the first half. Borussia's goalkeeper had no idea how to leave the goal to intercept in these difficult plays. I think Arsenal will play with a more conservative defender's line after that

Albania is some story, even if they were helped by that Serbian drone (Chico?) As is Northern Ireland. While Iceland's and Wales' Golden Generations produce.

Also a crazy last minute twist in the race for best 3rd place. A last minute goal for Turkey and Kazakhstan winning in Latvia meant Hungary, on the brink of a first major tournament in 30 years, are condemned to the play offs.

Chelsea, now what?! Still the only way is Jose? Perhaps time to part with the old guards?

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I said things wouldn't be great this year, but I didn't imagine it could ever be this bad.

The thing is, the players have been awful for their countries when they go away on international duty as well, so it's not like a change of scenery or a new manager would be the solution at this point. Willian has played well for Chelsea and Brazil. The rest have been abysmal for both club and country, totally baffling.

I said things wouldn't be great this year, but I didn't imagine it could ever be this bad.

The thing is, the players have been awful for their countries when they go away on international duty as well, so it's not like a change of scenery or a new manager would be the solution at this point. Willian has played well for Chelsea and Brazil. The rest have been abysmal for both club and country, totally baffling.

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Are we going to plunge so deep? Are we going bottomless this season?

At the rate we're going, being relegated isn't really an afterthought! Jose at one point hinted at the Champions League (Premiership being a foregone conclusion)...well, that is not going to happen either!

At the rate we're going, being relegated isn't really an afterthought! Jose at one point hinted at the Champions League (Premiership being a foregone conclusion)...well, that is not going to happen either!

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Haha I don't think we have to worry about that. Mid table is probably a realistic aim, maybe a Europa League place if things get turned around (although not really sure that's much of an incentive!)

Jose Mourinho has two games to save his Chelsea job, club sources have told ESPN, with Carlo Ancelotti interested in taking the job.

Meanwhile, Jose is prepping for Dynamo Kiev.

The best of luck Joe!

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Well he probably will win those games. Kiev at home shouldn't be that much problem, they haven't been as bad in Europe anyway. Stoke away, with Stoke's home form shouldn't be a problem, so certainly if he does badly in those two matches he bloody well should be sacked.

Don't know what is the best thing for them really, personally as I said before, I'm delighted to see them struggling, never liked Chelsea and while before I did find Mourinho entertaining, he's getting pretty tiresome these days, acting like a spoilt brat, going on and on and on and on and on and on about Wenger as well is just embarrassing, not to mention all this crap about referees (just this weekend when his implication about Lucas being sent off, which maybe he should have done, but considering that Costa should definitely have been sent off just before then, what exactly are you complaining about Jose?). He does look a bit like he's losing it, but again it would be a bold decision to sack him as his record is fantastic of course. But maybe there's good reason he never stays too long at a club, certainly his record of rebuilding teams and bringing through youngsters is definitely not impressive.

Will be interesting to see what happens though, he has certainly made Chelsea more interesting to watch than most of the teams he manages, remember when they used to be invincible at home?

Well he probably will win those games. Kiev at home shouldn't be that much problem, they haven't been as bad in Europe anyway. Stoke away, with Stoke's home form shouldn't be a problem, so certainly if he does badly in those two matches he bloody well should be sacked.

Don't know what is the best thing for them really, personally as I said before, I'm delighted to see them struggling, never liked Chelsea and while before I did find Mourinho entertaining, he's getting pretty tiresome these days, acting like a spoilt brat, going on and on and on and on and on and on about Wenger as well is just embarrassing, not to mention all this crap about referees (just this weekend when his implication about Lucas being sent off, which maybe he should have done, but considering that Costa should definitely have been sent off just before then, what exactly are you complaining about Jose?). He does look a bit like he's losing it, but again it would be a bold decision to sack him as his record is fantastic of course. But maybe there's good reason he never stays too long at a club, certainly his record of rebuilding teams and bringing through youngsters is definitely not impressive.

Will be interesting to see what happens though, he has certainly made Chelsea more interesting to watch than most of the teams he manages, remember when they used to be invincible at home?

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I can understand all the criticism of Mourinho, it's the players who the majority of fans seem to have an issue with though. Jose certainly has made mistakes this season, but for every individual player to be this bad? Not just for Chelsea, but for their respective international sides is the real concern for me. Let's not forget than the majority of the squad has been together for 3-4 years now and before last season, they were seen as a soft, weak minded group who Jose famously said lacked "balls". One good season last year and they think they've done their job and are allowed to not fancy it anymore? It's them who I have an issue with more than the manager if I'm honest.

There was a good article in today's papers which puts forward the way us Chelsea fans see it. As I said, Mourinho isn't totally blameless and it's understandable why fans of other teams and the media are laying it all on him (I'm sure I'd do the same if a team or manager I wasn't a fan of was going through something similar ) but yeah, I hope the club and ownership are looking at the players and their lack of character more than the manager.

Well he probably will win those games. Kiev at home shouldn't be that much problem, they haven't been as bad in Europe anyway. Stoke away, with Stoke's home form shouldn't be a problem, so certainly if he does badly in those two matches he bloody well should be sacked.

Don't know what is the best thing for them really, personally as I said before, I'm delighted to see them struggling, never liked Chelsea and while before I did find Mourinho entertaining, he's getting pretty tiresome these days, acting like a spoilt brat, going on and on and on and on and on and on about Wenger as well is just embarrassing, not to mention all this crap about referees (just this weekend when his implication about Lucas being sent off, which maybe he should have done, but considering that Costa should definitely have been sent off just before then, what exactly are you complaining about Jose?). He does look a bit like he's losing it, but again it would be a bold decision to sack him as his record is fantastic of course. But maybe there's good reason he never stays too long at a club, certainly his record of rebuilding teams and bringing through youngsters is definitely not impressive.

Will be interesting to see what happens though, he has certainly made Chelsea more interesting to watch than most of the teams he manages, remember when they used to be invincible at home?

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Stoke really could trip him up. It wouldn't be those games that cost him his job, though, should he go. His ego did. The way he started criticising players in public in Madrid found its way back into London and he surely lost the changing room. There's no going back after that.

I can understand all the criticism of Mourinho, it's the players who the majority of fans seem to have an issue with though. Jose certainly has made mistakes this season, but for every individual player to be this bad? Not just for Chelsea, but for their respective international sides is the real concern for me. Let's not forget than the majority of the squad has been together for 3-4 years now and before last season, they were seen as a soft, weak minded group who Jose famously said lacked "balls". One good season last year and they think they've done their job and are allowed to not fancy it anymore? It's them who I have an issue with more than the manager if I'm honest.

There was a good article in today's papers which puts forward the way us Chelsea fans see it. As I said, Mourinho isn't totally blameless and it's understandable why fans of other teams and the media are laying it all on him (I'm sure I'd do the same if a team or manager I wasn't a fan of was going through something similar ) but yeah, I hope the club and ownership are looking at the players and their lack of character more than the manager.

I'm sure there are elements of that involved. It can't be his responsibility, but players being poor at international level could be connected to a loss of confidence from such poor performances. No doubt there is a lot of lost confidence as there would be for anyone who had such poor form especially coming after a title winning season. They start to doubt themselves and confidence can make a huge difference to some players form, that they seem almost unrecognisable as players. The suggestion in the article that the likes of Eden Hazard have had one good season are frankly ridiculous in my view, he was very good when he signed, coming off a few good seasons with Lille and seems to have got better every season, until this one. Probably wasn't helped by being called the new Ronaldo or whatever Mourinho was saying.

I think some of the stuff in that article is completely over the top, it is a very talented group really, it's not like last season's good performers came out of nowhere to suddenly turn into fantastic players. It was already a very good team, they've been finishing as one of the top few teams in the league for a while now, with the exception of that one season where they finished 6th, but won the champions league. The possibility that a few of those players like Terry and possibly Ivanovic starting to decline a bit would be part of the issue, I think and it's hard for young players like Zouma to come in and shine for a struggling team lacking in confidence, much easier to be blooded in a winning team.

Having said that I'm really undecided if it was my team I'm not sure what I'd want. I tend to be of the opinion that the grass isn't always greener and reluctant to let a manager with such a good record go. But it is also true that good managers simply start to run out of ideas or their methods stop working, and Mourinho never has seemed to be a long term manager, more a quick success then quick departure (usually followed by comparative struggles by that team, which can be interpreted in two ways as getting them to perform above their level which the replacement can't do, or he just builds for short-term success and not for the long term). Certainly if things like that claim that an unnamed player would rather lose than win for Mourinho turned out to be true it does not look good and maybe suggests that he is starting to lose the dressing room.

Stoke really could trip him up. It wouldn't be those games that cost him his job, though, should he go. His ego did. The way he started criticising players in public in Madrid found its way back into London and he surely lost the changing room. There's no going back after that.

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Potentially, but Stoke's home form this season has very poor this season, especially compared to recent times, but obviously they played recently and nearly got it done in 90 minutes before eventually the penalties win, so yeah it isn't an easy fixture for a team in the state Chelsea are now.

Yeah that Madrid time seems to have jaded him I remember thinking early on about not quite being the same, I remember reading about calling players traitorous sons of bitches or something after team news got leaked before a game and the performances this season seem to have further affected his mind-state.

Whatever the case though, it's certainly made for an interesting sub-plot to the season.

I'm sure there are elements of that involved. It can't be his responsibility, but players being poor at international level could be connected to a loss of confidence from such poor performances. No doubt there is a lot of lost confidence as there would be for anyone who had such poor form especially coming after a title winning season. They start to doubt themselves and confidence can make a huge difference to some players form, that they seem almost unrecognisable as players. The suggestion in the article that the likes of Eden Hazard have had one good season are frankly ridiculous in my view, he was very good when he signed, coming off a few good seasons with Lille and seems to have got better every season, until this one. Probably wasn't helped by being called the new Ronaldo or whatever Mourinho was saying.

I think some of the stuff in that article is completely over the top, it is a very talented group really, it's not like last season's good performers came out of nowhere to suddenly turn into fantastic players. It was already a very good team, they've been finishing as one of the top few teams in the league for a while now, with the exception of that one season where they finished 6th, but won the champions league. The possibility that a few of those players like Terry and possibly Ivanovic starting to decline a bit would be part of the issue, I think and it's hard for young players like Zouma to come in and shine for a struggling team lacking in confidence, much easier to be blooded in a winning team.

Having said that I'm really undecided if it was my team I'm not sure what I'd want. I tend to be of the opinion that the grass isn't always greener and reluctant to let a manager with such a good record go. But it is also true that good managers simply start to run out of ideas or their methods stop working, and Mourinho never has seemed to be a long term manager, more a quick success then quick departure (usually followed by comparative struggles by that team, which can be interpreted in two ways as getting them to perform above their level which the replacement can't do, or he just builds for short-term success and not for the long term). Certainly if things like that claim that an unnamed player would rather lose than win for Mourinho turned out to be true it does not look good and maybe suggests that he is starting to lose the dressing room.

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Yeah it does look like Ivanovic and Terry have come to the end, which is sad, but the age and mileage in their legs is something that can't be helped. There's no doubt that the squad is very talented from a skill point of view, as a fan though, the mental makeup is something that concerned me before last season. When Mourinho said 18 months ago that they lacked the balls for a fight and were ponies who hadn't become horses yet was spot on at the time, it seemed to be put to rest with the title win last year, but the way they've reverted back to type and look like kids who don't care is seriously worrying. For a player to say he would prefer to lose a game than to win one for Mourinho says it all.

Having had the likes of Cech, Terry, Lampard, Drogba etc.. for the last 10+ years, they left everything out there for the club no matter what. Lampard winning a Champions League semi against Liverpool on his own the day after his Mom died, with Avram Grant as the manager, for example. They didn't particularly like Benitez but you'd never hear any of the old breed saying "nah, i'm not going to try as hard today, i'm not too keen on Rafa".

It certainly does look like Mourinho has lost the dressing room, the fact that talented young players who haven't really achieved anything up to now can give up like that says more about them than Mourinho to me. Mourinho hasn't got things right for sure, but the way the players just roll over and die disappoints me a whole lot more. Part of the reason I had them dropping to 5th/6th at the start of the season was because what it took out of them winning the title last year, it took a huge level of discipline and commitment, as it does for every Premier League title winning team. To do it all over again without reinforcements was always going to be a big ask, but this current group just don't have the make up to do it imo.

Yeah it does look like Ivanovic and Terry have come to the end, which is sad, but the age and mileage in their legs is something that can't be helped. There's no doubt that the squad is very talented from a skill point of view, as a fan though, the mental makeup is something that concerned me before last season. When Mourinho said 18 months ago that they lacked the balls for a fight and were ponies who hadn't become horses yet was spot on at the time, it seemed to be put to rest with the title win last year, but the way they've reverted back to type and look like kids who don't care is seriously worrying. For a player to say he would prefer to lose a game than to win one for Mourinho says it all.

Having had the likes of Cech, Terry, Lampard, Drogba etc.. for the last 10+ years, they left everything out there for the club no matter what. Lampard winning a Champions League semi against Liverpool on his own the day after his Mom died, with Avram Grant as the manager, for example. They didn't particularly like Benitez but you'd never hear any of the old breed saying "nah, i'm not going to try as hard today, i'm not too keen on Rafa".

It certainly does look like Mourinho has lost the dressing room, the fact that talented young players who haven't really achieved anything up to now can give up like that says more about them than Mourinho to me. Mourinho hasn't got things right for sure, but the way the players just roll over and die disappoints me a whole lot more. Part of the reason I had them dropping to 5th/6th at the start of the season was because what it took out of them winning the title last year, it took a huge level of discipline and commitment, as it does for every Premier League title winning team. To do it all over again without reinforcements was always going to be a big ask, but this current group just don't have the make up to do it imo.

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I think it's a bit of a trend. When you look at Arsenal and Manchester United you can similarly see how the characters who left their blood and guts on the pitch never have, and probably never will be, replaced. The game seems less likely to produce such players nowadays Millionaires at a young age, gone are the grounded working class heroes of the past.

I think it's a bit of a trend. When you look at Arsenal and Manchester United you can similarly see how the characters who left their blood and guts on the pitch never have, and probably never will be, replaced. The game seems less likely to produce such players nowadays Millionaires at a young age, gone are the grounded working class heroes of the past.

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Couldn't agree more. Same with AC Milan, looking at them now compared to what they had a decade ago, it's pretty sad. We probably aren't going to get that again, the game and society in general has changed so much. Hearing players say they would rather lose than win a game because they don't like something is seriously worrying though.

Couldn't agree more. Same with AC Milan, looking at them now compared to what they had a decade ago, it's pretty sad. We probably aren't going to get that again, the game and society in general has changed so much. Hearing players say they would rather lose than win a game because they don't like something is seriously worrying though.

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It transcends to other sports as well, such as basketball to name one.

It transcends to other sports as well, such as basketball to name one.

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Very true. The likes of Duncan, Parker and Ginobli taking less money for the good of the team, winning and giving everything they have is all they care about.

You see in the NFL with the Seahawks, every year a member of the secondary leaves for a big pay day, Chancellor sitting out and demanding a pay rise after only getting a new contract last year.. You can understand them wanting to cash in, they could of done something special though. As it is Browner is stuck in New Orleans, Maxwell in Philadelphia and the Seahawks have to rely on Cary Williams.. all whilst Wilson is scrambling for his life as they don't have enough left to spend on the O line. Shame, but that's modern sport l guess.

So I’ve been getting a bit of “heat” overnight – mostly from Leicester fans, but not entirely – for pointing out that Jamie Vardy is a racist. Vardy, in case you’re not aware, was caught on camera abusing a man of east Asian origin in a casino in August. The responses seem to fall into four main categories. Let’s deal with them one at a time.

1) Who cares?

Actually, I can sort of understand this one. If my car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and the mechanic who comes to fix it happens to be an EDL member, I’m probably not going to send him packing. If you’re an avid Leicester fan who depends on your football club for your happiness, and Vardy’s goals make you happy, then you’re more likely to decide that his racism isn’t as important. Every single person makes moral compromises every day of the week.

So you make a little adjustment in your head: tell yourself that what Vardy did wasn’t actually that bad, that he’s being unfairly vilified, that there’s a campaign against him. That’s a compromise you’ve made, and you’re entitled to it. But it’s not my compromise. I care that Vardy’s a racist. And as long as I care about it, I’m going to talk about it.

Ah yes, the classic “hierarchy of racism”. You wouldn’t use the P-word or the N-word or the Y-word, but somehow the J-word – which tellingly nobody feels the need to asterisk out – is on the right side of the line. It’s the classic response of the racism apologist: yes, there is bad stuff out there, but this doesn’t qualify.

To which the only possible response is: watch the video. Watch the filthy, inebriated hatred in him: the seething disdain for someone he clearly regards as an inferior. Now replace the Asian-looking bloke with a white guy, and imagine Vardy saying “Yo, Brit. Yeah you, Brit. Walk on."

Can’t really picture it, can you?

3) It was just a drunken mistake. We all make mistakes. It was one comment, one time. Let it go.

Yes, we all make mistakes. But my drunken mistakes tend to involve falling asleep on the night bus rather than racially abusing a stranger. Maybe I need to get out more.

You really do have to feel for Vardy here. The only time he’s ever said something racist - in his entire life! – and it gets caught on camera. Talk about unlucky.

4) He’s apologised, been fined, been sent on a diversity awareness course, and genuinely seems a changed person. Give him a break.

Yes, all these things are true. And this seems to be the default position of most Vardy apologists – some of them in the media. Why carry on persecuting Vardy for something that happened in the past that he can’t change? Can’t we just accept his apology and move on? Well, you might be able to. But then, I’d doubt whether you’ve ever been the victim of genuine racism.

My view is this: racists should be pariahs. They should be punished with the full fist of the law and beaten down by the crushing yoke of public opinion. They should be out of a job. They should be out of friends. They should have to get on their knees and beg us all for forgiveness.

Vardy should be out of work right now. But seeing as he's not, he can use his platform. He should be speaking out against racism at every opportunity. He should be working tirelessly with charities, doing talks in schools, educating young players on diversity and tolerance. And he should still be apologising. Every time there's a camera on him or a microphone in front of his face, he should start by expressing his remorse for what he did and telling us how he's putting things right.

It's a pipe dream, of course. I completely understand if you don’t share this view. But there’s a victim here, and it’s not me and it’s not you. And it’s certainly not the England footballer with an 11-game scoring streak and the admiration of millions.

So I’ve been getting a bit of “heat” overnight – mostly from Leicester fans, but not entirely – for pointing out that Jamie Vardy is a racist. Vardy, in case you’re not aware, was caught on camera abusing a man of east Asian origin in a casino in August. The responses seem to fall into four main categories. Let’s deal with them one at a time.

1) Who cares?

Actually, I can sort of understand this one. If my car breaks down in the middle of nowhere and the mechanic who comes to fix it happens to be an EDL member, I’m probably not going to send him packing. If you’re an avid Leicester fan who depends on your football club for your happiness, and Vardy’s goals make you happy, then you’re more likely to decide that his racism isn’t as important. Every single person makes moral compromises every day of the week.

So you make a little adjustment in your head: tell yourself that what Vardy did wasn’t actually that bad, that he’s being unfairly vilified, that there’s a campaign against him. That’s a compromise you’ve made, and you’re entitled to it. But it’s not my compromise. I care that Vardy’s a racist. And as long as I care about it, I’m going to talk about it.

Ah yes, the classic “hierarchy of racism”. You wouldn’t use the P-word or the N-word or the Y-word, but somehow the J-word – which tellingly nobody feels the need to asterisk out – is on the right side of the line. It’s the classic response of the racism apologist: yes, there is bad stuff out there, but this doesn’t qualify.

To which the only possible response is: watch the video. Watch the filthy, inebriated hatred in him: the seething disdain for someone he clearly regards as an inferior. Now replace the Asian-looking bloke with a white guy, and imagine Vardy saying “Yo, Brit. Yeah you, Brit. Walk on."

Can’t really picture it, can you?

3) It was just a drunken mistake. We all make mistakes. It was one comment, one time. Let it go.

Yes, we all make mistakes. But my drunken mistakes tend to involve falling asleep on the night bus rather than racially abusing a stranger. Maybe I need to get out more.

You really do have to feel for Vardy here. The only time he’s ever said something racist - in his entire life! – and it gets caught on camera. Talk about unlucky.

4) He’s apologised, been fined, been sent on a diversity awareness course, and genuinely seems a changed person. Give him a break.

Yes, all these things are true. And this seems to be the default position of most Vardy apologists – some of them in the media. Why carry on persecuting Vardy for something that happened in the past that he can’t change? Can’t we just accept his apology and move on? Well, you might be able to. But then, I’d doubt whether you’ve ever been the victim of genuine racism.

My view is this: racists should be pariahs. They should be punished with the full fist of the law and beaten down by the crushing yoke of public opinion. They should be out of a job. They should be out of friends. They should have to get on their knees and beg us all for forgiveness.

Vardy should be out of work right now. But seeing as he's not, he can use his platform. He should be speaking out against racism at every opportunity. He should be working tirelessly with charities, doing talks in schools, educating young players on diversity and tolerance. And he should still be apologising. Every time there's a camera on him or a microphone in front of his face, he should start by expressing his remorse for what he did and telling us how he's putting things right.

It's a pipe dream, of course. I completely understand if you don’t share this view. But there’s a victim here, and it’s not me and it’s not you. And it’s certainly not the England footballer with an 11-game scoring streak and the admiration of millions.

Man Utd knocked out of champions league after 3-2 loss to Wolfsburg. An entertaining match for a change, but we had to pay the price. Getting to 2-2 then conceding one minute later was a real sickener.

Man Utd knocked out of champions league after 3-2 loss to Wolfsburg. An entertaining match for a change, but we had to pay the price. Getting to 2-2 then conceding one minute later was a real sickener.

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Honestly, so disappointing even though I thought we would be knocked out. We were done from the last match.
LvG, not sure if he has what we need...

Man Utd knocked out of champions league after 3-2 loss to Wolfsburg. An entertaining match for a change, but we had to pay the price. Getting to 2-2 then conceding one minute later was a real sickener.

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That's one English side down, pretty sure it'll be our turn tomorrow. Looks like it's down to Arsenal to give City some company.